A series of shootings in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on Sunday left one person dead and two others seriously injured, prompting an intensive police investigation that authorities believe is connected to a single individual acting at random. According to Prince George’s County police, the victims were all shot while inside their vehicles at different locations throughout the day.
The first incident occurred in the early morning hours, shortly after 7:20 a.m., near the Watkins Park Plaza area. Officers responding to the scene discovered 65-year-old Joseph Holt III suffering from gunshot wounds while seated inside his car. Despite emergency efforts, Holt was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators later linked this shooting to the events that unfolded later in the day.
Several hours later, at approximately 8:10 p.m., police were called to the 12000 block of Darlenen Street following reports of another shooting. When officers arrived, they located a man who had been shot in the leg while inside his vehicle. Authorities believe his car may have been carjacked during the incident. Not far from that location, officers also found a woman on Cambleton Drive who had been shot in the stomach while sitting inside her car. Both victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police stated that while both individuals were in stable condition, the woman’s injuries were considered critical.
In addition to these three victims, police confirmed that a fourth individual had also been shot at while inside a vehicle but was not injured. Investigators believe all of the shootings were random, with no apparent connection between the victims.
Following the incidents, police quickly canvassed the surrounding areas and took a person of interest into custody. Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader stated that officers recovered a 7.62 rifle believed to be connected to the fatal shooting of Holt earlier that day. The weapon was described as similar to a smaller version of an AK-47.
Although the person of interest had not yet been formally charged, police expressed confidence that the individual was responsible for all of the shootings. Authorities emphasized that they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to public safety and rejected comparisons to past serial sniper cases. Chief Nader noted that the suspect has a prior criminal record and that investigators are still working to determine a motive behind the attacks.
